Shoes of the Olympics: How does shoe technology make you faster?

WALT:

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Task

You are creating a reply to someone who has asked you for advice on your blog.

You will also need to create your response in a way that looks like an advice column.

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Problem

You will need to read their ‘post’ carefully. Make sure you understand what they are asking you.

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Advice

You will need to offer advice and information to answer their problems. Do not leave anything out.

�REMEMBER

This was sent to you as a letter, so it must be answered in a letter form.

DO NOT ANSWER AS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

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Delete this slide just before you share on your blog!

Problem: Running shoes keep changing and I don’t know what I should be looking for.

Dear ‘your name’,

My name is Gemma and I am interested in taking up competitive short-distance running. I used to sprint as part of a social club 10 years ago and now I really want to challenge myself more. I am amazed at how much the technology behind running shoes has changed over the years!

I was watching some videos of Armin Hary, a famous sprinter from the 1960 Olympics Games, as well as Carl Lewis, a famous sprinter from the 1984 Olympics Games and comparing their sprinting to Usain Bolt, a current day Sprinter from Jamaica. I noticed their shoes were all extremely different from each other!

Can you please give me advice on:

• What shoe features are different and how this changes an athlete’s running?
• Why there have been such big changes in shoe technology over time?
• What I should be looking for in a sprinting shoe?

Thank you in advance,

Gemma

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Gemma L.

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Age: 29

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Image Attribution: Athletics track finish line by Petey21 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

PLAN YOUR WRITING HERE:

Possible things to include:

• Explain Gemma’s problem in your own words/ respond to some of her comments - this will allow her to see that you have read her post.
• Relate to Gemma by showing an interest in the purpose of her blog post. Do you have anything in common? Can you help her? How?
• Explain what you have learnt about Armin Hary, Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt, and any other athletes you have read about (or already know about).
• Explain how their footwear is different and how this helps/helped them.
• Anything else you think is important, interesting to add which will help Gemma! - Be creative! Could you create a movie or series of photographs of shoes which would be good to run in? What about ones you would suggest NOT running in?

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Advice: Re: Running shoes keep changing and I don’t know what I should be looking for.

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Insert a photo of you.